Gumaa beyond Compensation: Reconciliation and Reintegration among the Ituu Oromo

Abstract

This study was conducted to explore the gumaa institution beyond the regular compensation for a life taken in the hand of another person. The work describes the procedures of blood purification and offender’s reintegration into the Ituu Oromo. Qualitative research was used and field methods like observation, interviews and focus group discussions were employed to gather primary data for the research. Existing documents on the gumaa institution were also analysed and incorporated. The study addressed the required procedures and steps for blood compensation, the reintegration of the offender, and eventual reconciliation of the victim’s and offender’s families. Knowledgeable persons from Oda Bultum, Gumbi-Bordode, and Fentalle districts were purposively selected for the fieldwork. The finding of the study shows that the Ituu have preserved the outstanding features of their traditional gumaa institution for blood price payment, reconciliation and reintegration. Some of the major gumaa types of the Ituu include darba, amba and daguu murders where Heera Diinoo, Heera Amboo and Heera Danuu are applied, respectively. In exceptional gumaa laws, the murder of a virgin and/or a gosaa head is addressed differently. The gumaa ritual follows a number of steps and takes various factors into account to resolve the conflict and to maintain peace among the two groups.